Daniel McConnell: Foley eyes top job as she whips faithful into a frenzy

While some may baulk at the idea of her holding ambitions to lead, Foley is now a Cabinet minister of two and a half years’ standing and that fact alone puts her in the running

Taoiseach Michael Martin with Minister for Education Norma Foley. Foley has shown since coming to office that you underestimate her at your peril. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

Delivering a warm-up speech at an Ard Fheis is a big deal.

The job is to warm up the thousands of party faithful assembled just as the nation turns in live on television to hear your dear leader’s address.